Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska state, founded in 1854 and named after the native American tribe. Since its founding, Omaha has been regional manufacturing, transportation, and trade hub of Nebraska. In the 1880s, Omaha was said to be the fastest-growing city in the United States and emerged as the top livestock markets in the world and leader in the meat-processing industry. Thousands of immigrants came to work in the Union Stockyards and slaughterhouses of South Omaha. The 20th century began with raid development, cultural growth, and population growth. Several new residents established communities throughout the city. Omaha was hit hard by the Great Depression; however, the federal government provided relief to the city and funded vital public projects. By the 1950s, Omaha surpassed Chicago as the world’s top livestock market. The stockyards closed in 1999, but meatpacking remained a significant part of the local economy.
Here below are some historical photos of Omaha from the 1930s that capture streets, roads, cityscapes, landmarks, and everyday life.
That smelting plant poisoned the shit out of the city. For a hundred years their unfiltered smoke stacks blew lead and other metals across the town. They dumped their coal waste and smelting waste right into the river. The EPA was formed in the 70s, rather than clean it up. they shut it down. Tons of dirt were hauled out and they laid down a rubber liner they could build on top of the site. And they use super fund money to clean lead contaminated dirt out of yards all over the eastern half of the city. It was a different time!
My mom remembers fishing off of/next to the pipe dumping waste into the river. She also remembers the neighborhood kids chasing the ddt truck in the summer. No idea how she doesn’t have cancer yet.
I love this stuff. I did a family tree on the folks that lived in my 1915 built home and found some photos of the folks that lived here between the 1920s through 1940s.
Photos of vintage Omaha are my Roman Empire. Also has anyone been to Broncos on Pacific and 120th? They have walls covered in pics of Omaha from this time. They also have killer burgers
Great collection of photos! But I gotta throw a little shade ….. Good to see The State hasn’t changed it’s view on weed since 1938 🤣
Some great shots, presumably by John Vachon, that I hadn’t actually seen before.